Australia does not have a ‘way of life’

Cape Fear says:

01:18pm | 08/02/11

Typical loser Labor,no hope and none on the horizon

iMitchy says:

03:51pm | 08/02/11

The Australian way of life is: Accepting acceptence and not accepting non-acceptance. Adhering to applicable laws even if they are different to your homeland’s. Communicating in public using English. Dressing down when it’s hot if you so choose. Removing YOURSELF from offensive situations. Taking off face coverings when identification is required. Treating others the way you would like to be treated (accepting their culture). Contributing to society and the economy. Freedom of speech limited by law. Loving what Australia means to you.

Perhaps if one has left their home country to come to Australia it is because they wanted to leave behind a situation that their culture had tolerated or perhaps because Australia seemed like a better place to live. Why would anyone try to bring problems here with them or change what is already great?
If we have no culture or way of life then what is “assimilation”?
The Australian way of life can be seen in the changes between those who migrated here and 2nd, 3rd, 4th… generation Australians.

Extremism is a problem anywhere. Fortunately the mojority of the effects of extremism are inflicted in the very places that extremism originates.
I am not worried about cultural/religious extremism in Australia manifesting itself as violence. I am more worried about our anti-discrimination laws being taken advantage of as in the case of the “Burqa Bungle” (if you haven’t heard of it, Google it). What might have happened had there not been a camera mounted on the dash? Or laws being written to create freedoms for minorities which end up supressing the rights of the majority.
That’s what worries me.
Anglos have assimilated to the cultures entering the country so it’s only fair that those bringing the culture also try to find some middle ground.

If you want to get along, go along. Otherwise, move along.

potatoes says:

11:59pm | 08/02/11

Well said iMitchy.

For me the australian way of life is to be able walk around this country wherever I please anf feel safe and welcome doing so.

I think our freedoms are misinterpreted by many as free to be a dickhead. That why you have yobs giving alcohol a bad name, extremists giving islam a bad name, and I could go on.

Personally I have found different cultures to assimilate better than others. Not just with Anglos but minorities with other minorities. Usually the ones that don’t assimilate so well are the ones from shitty war torn places, or cultures where hatred or ‘eye for an eye’ mentallity is a way of life. I could point fingers but I believe that in doing so I would be doing an injustice to the ones that are from these places and are ok, or ‘cool’ so to speak.

But when it comes to national policy, I think when it comes choosing who we let in the law of averages dictates that some cultures are worth letting in more than others. This is purely in the interest of maintaining social harmony. We have that right.

Its not too hard to spot the cultures not to let in anymore, they are usually the ones where the youth form street gangs, or little versions of their own country in ours in the form of enclaves. Once again, rather than point fingers at the bad ones, as a positve outlook I’ll point out some of the nicer cultures instead, and I’ve found indians, chinese, koreans, japanese, peruvians and most people from europe to be fine. I don’t mean that list to be exhaustive, I only draw on my own experiences.

So to maintain our way of life, we don’t need more people to throw a shrimp on the barbie, we just want people who are friendly, trustworthy, and appreciative.

Zac de Spudnut says:

10:42am | 09/02/11

The premise you and Tory make is this,  we all are different because we all think differently, have different beliefs and different lifestyles. So there is no such thing as a unified “we”.

Well, Egyptians with the same diversity has unified to expel their dictator. That tells me even a nation with no history of democracy or individual rights can unify when they have a common purpose. You could see the same difference in a family but “we” still exist as mostly unified family units. Otherwise we would have had chaos in our society. Appreciating uniqueness (which has limits as far as corporate society is concerned) in individuals or society is not divisiveness rather the strength of a nation and gels well with the democratic principles of western societies. This is made strikingly clear when we analyse Atheistic (China, Cuba, North Korea, Former USSR, Eastern Europe etc) or Islamic societies, where the individual/societies was/is forced into a belief system. This only gradually weakens the society and from examples we have seen in history, totally destroys nations.

Until we had this ideology “multi-cult-urism” that was forcefully introduced on us by the labor ideologists to create a new utopia, we were coping well in spite of the above said differences as mentioned in the premise. However with the introduction of government supported and funded multi-cult-urism we have this absurd notion that all cultures/cultural values are equal in respect and practice and the host nation Australia is responsible to promote these cultures at the cost of our own culture at that point in time and continually weakens the dominant Australian culture.

But the absurdity in such policies is this. Why should we respect/tolerate/promote cultures that wouldn’t respect women or educate women or wouldn’t allow any contact with the outside world by shrouding them in a burkha? Why should we tolerate cultures that practice castism? Why should we allow Islamic values that reject “democracy” - because their Allah doesn’t need a helping hand - which is very fundamental to us and western nations?

While Tory’s claim that “All religious extremists are problematic. Australia needs to be wary of extremism,” is right, that includes Atheistic religious extremism as well(which she conveniently ignores),  however her claim that we shouldn’t be wary of “multiculturalism” is false and totally unacceptable and will NOT do any good for our nation. Like German chancellor Angela Merkel said “the so-called “multikulti” concept - where people would “live side-by-side” happily - did not work, and immigrants needed to do more to integrate - including learning German.” So why force something on our society that has miserably failed? This is where the Marxist ideology - “The Frankfurt School” - rears it’s head. This school among other things recommended and enforced - 1) The creation of racism offences, 2) Continual change to create confusion, 3) Huge immigration to destroy identity, 4) Emptying of churches, 5) Dependency on the state or state benefits, 6) Control and dumbing down of media etc. So what we are seeing today is a new Atheistic utopia like the once we saw during the communist era in action under a new name - Multi-culturism.

And history has shown that terrorists are not necessarily born – they are bred. So you’d have to ban … well, maybe religion altogether.>>>

But Tory again conveniently ignores the fact “that all the religions of the world put together have in 2,000 years not managed to kill as many people as have been killed in the name of atheism in the past few decades.” So even before you even think about banning religion, you have to come up with plans to totally ban Atheism.

Daniel says:

02:40pm | 14/02/11

Zac, atheism is a lack of belief.
How do you ban that?

Wouldn’t that make a more messed up society?
You are totally not a nutjob.

Ryan says:

01:40pm | 08/02/11

And yet it was the Left Labor who had the “White Australia” policy.

Art says:

01:45pm | 08/02/11

Although I’m no fan of either of them, please explain exactly how they stir up hate and fear (two very strong words).  Sounds to me like you’re resorting to the kind of rhetoric I assume you’re accusing them of.  I certainly don’t find either of them ‘extreme’ right.  Sounds to me like you’re just spewing your own personal dislike and agenda. 
Balance please.

James1 says:

02:34pm | 08/02/11

Ryan,

As I have pointed out many times, that legislation was introduced to Parliament by the Protectionist Party - the ALP’s conservative opposition.  However, the ALP did vote in favour of it.  I just want to point out that while it did support the policy, it wasn’t the only party to do so.

Tom says:

03:35pm | 08/02/11

Agree James. @Ryan although it was strongly supported by both sides of poltics for many decades, it was also Whitlam and Labor that finally got rid of it by passing the Racial Discrimination Act in 1975.

Like any person, political parties can make mistakes. It’s how you respond that truly defines character.

Mayday says:

04:32pm | 08/02/11

The Australian Workers Union also voted with the ALP for the White Australia Policy.
Whitlam receded the legislation but he did not follow through and accept Vietnamese refugees because he was afraid they would not vote for the Left because they fled a communist regime.

Malcolm Fraser as leader of the Liberal/National Party subsequently allowed 70,000 Vietnamese refugees into the country.

Claire says:

04:57pm | 08/02/11

Tracey, if you expand your education you will see that the UK is not the first to question multiculturalism. To suggest that anyone who says that it is time to stop and reevaluate where we are going is ‘extreme’ right, or the old favourite, redneck racist bigots, shows your ignorance.

To suggest that Australia does not have ‘a way of life’ is a nonsense designed to shut the masses up so that the socialist agenda can continue uninterrupted.

We are the most welcoming and generous nation on earth, we are a WESTERN nation with western values who welcomes all to start a new life here and we have every right and obligation to DEMAND respect, to be strong and to protect the exceptional and privileged ‘way of life’ that Tory and other wish we didn’t have.

annie j says:

05:03pm | 08/02/11

tracy its not about skin colour its about willingness to assimilate nothing else and if you dont get it well thats sad.

Barry says:

05:25pm | 08/02/11

*Sigh* Oh, such naivety about Islamic culture and their “way of life”.  I just googled the word Islamic.  The latest news stories from 45 minutes ago: Oh what’s this?!  Some Muslims burned two churches cause apparently a Christian man blasphemed Islam.  You can bring up all these excuses about other religious people doing bad things yada yada yada.  Let’s live in the present not the past.  Do we honestly need to worry that 1,000 Christians are going to rise up and burn some buildings, because someone bagged out Jesus?  Do we really hide in dark corners worrying about when Christians will carry out the next crusade?  No, the difference is that other religions usually say people are going to Hell for certain reasons, a large portion of the Islamic society tend to want to speed up this process and get the sinner to Hell as fast as possible.  I guess it’s a valid argument to say that extremist religion of any kind is a problem, but it’s just plain idiocy to compare extremist Islamic behavior with extremist behavior of any other religion.  Do some research and see how many Islamic terrorist organizations actually exist, whose aim is to overthrow current governments, and install Islamic states.  Most likely these sort of groups already have resources inside Australia.

Brad of Bentleigh says:

06:49pm | 08/02/11

Another leftist sland by Tory… you ask early on in youir peice, is x the way of life… all of those are a way of life in Australia.
Linking multiculturalism in the UK to terrorism is absolutely correct, do some research you lazy good for nothing Sheppard, and learn the facts.

in the UK context, and that of current western Sydney in Australia, the comments are accurate. You are a disgrace and a liar… typical leftist BS from a low rent “reporter” of the Fairfax blend!

Aitch B says:

12:40pm | 08/02/11

@Mary

Wow!! Thanks for that. Your words or somebody else’s?

Just for our edification would you like to give us your opinion of Labor people?

Just so we’re sure we know where you’re coming from, you understand…..........

Real Australian says:

01:02pm | 08/02/11

You suck. Get out of Oz now you secret commie!

Gladys says:

01:06pm | 08/02/11

What I love about this sort of statement is that it shows that no matter how close-minded you think Liberals are, there is always someone else out there with a minded welded shut.

Bilby says:

01:13pm | 08/02/11

How much cash do you get for this sort of comment, and where do I sign up? I want some easy money. Why can’t I have some easy money?

And btw… calling Labour voters a sea of effluence is just rude.

Bilby says:

01:25pm | 08/02/11

Yeah yeah… Labor not Labour… ah go blow it out your ass. Picky bastards. Bloody pedants.

annie j says:

05:08pm | 08/02/11

i guess Mary you would hold the view that multiculturalism has worked well in Europe? trains planes and bus bombs are just incidental. the subject has nothing to do with lib/lab its about a peaceful future for our kids and thier kids and how best to ensure it.

Hooraaay for John Howard says:

01:15pm | 08/02/11

@Bludger,Congratulations on your new Liberal Govt and hope you get used to many years of union free administration

Aitch B says:

03:01pm | 08/02/11

@The Badger

No….. Cain broke Victoria in then Kirner totally “F*d” it up in true Labor fashion!!

Dave says:

03:27pm | 08/02/11

Thanks for the link, it’s a classic. Who needs multiculturalism when you can such good fun with two white middle age blokes?

Labor Ruined NSW says:

04:07pm | 08/02/11

Dear Badger, by your reckoning Labor must have really fixed up NSW.
You are a dope if you reckon Kennet F*d up Victoria. It was the previous corrupt and useless labor governments prior to him being elected. But don’t let fact get in the way of a good story.

No wonder Australia has such poor standards of government with intellectual cripples such as your self catsing their vote.

Phil says:

12:56pm | 08/02/11

We are not talking about citezens as such. And if new citizens break the laws and you expect them to be deported….what do we do with all the native born dickheads?  You can’t deport citzens because they have pledged tho share our democratic beliefs and repect Australias rights and liberties. I think you’ll find one of the rights is protection of the crown…so you find the constitutional grounds on whch to deport.

Kika says:

01:07pm | 08/02/11

What of those born here, 5th generation Australians who do not conform to those decrees?

Phil says:

01:18pm | 08/02/11

Couldnt agree more. Lefties want us to share with everyone, pay them heaps of welfare and give them a fare go. Which is fine, but do they in return give a fair go to Aussies. Not most of them.

At school, most kids tormented the middle easterners who were in the minority. Its no wonder some of the arched up.

See I dont have a problem with many coming to our country so long as we can sustain them. Whatever the writer says Australians do have a way of life. Its about our sport, the way we get on and help our mates in times of trouble. That is the Australian way. We get the shits when those in detention centres cause strife, even in some cases start fires and protest. Hey try that in Saudi Arabia and you would get shot. I feel that anyone arriving here should be put on probation for 10 years and if they or any member of their family commit a serious crime, the entire family is deported to whereever they came from regardless of what the circumstances are.

For all those that want to disagree, the more we bring in that are different, the more trouble will ensue. Often its the different nationalities coming together against each other (Mr Druitt last week) against one off’s like Cronulla.

Shifter says:

01:22pm | 08/02/11

Is that the citizenship pledge? Why is under God even in it? It’s almost as abhorrent as the US pledge of allegiance.

marley says:

01:48pm | 08/02/11

@Shifter - there are two oaths - one with, one without, God.  As John said, should you bother to read his comment.  What’s the problem?  If you don’t believe in God, you take the affirmation; if you do, you take the oath.  Big deal.

john says:

02:31pm | 08/02/11

@ to all replies, sorry guys an oath is an oath-sure there are the ‘native born rednecks’, however the oath is the corner stone from which to build a foundation to Australian society and where the following generations can build on from that.

The alternative, remove the corner stone that is the oath and replace it with their own oaths they left with from their homelands, I think not.

Some argue 5th or whatever generation Australians do not conform to those decrees, 2 wrongs don’t make a right. However, if usually laid-back Aussie borns have arched up there usually is a good reason, and many of the grievances have been directly related to those that immigrate here have strayed from the oath as well, and its understandable Australian born Aussie will stray from it too.
I see no reason for the rules/laws or beliefs to bend for the appeasement of immigrants own ‘comfort zones’  they were used to in their homelands by contradicting or blurring our oath - to which they swore to to obtain citizenship. Or is this swearing in fake like some politicians too nowadays?

IMHO, The oath is the cornerstone for all… equally.  There are consequences of straying from that oath, we are seeing it now.

JAX says:

04:27pm | 08/02/11

@kika - we were born here, we don’t have to take it

Shifter says:

05:39pm | 08/02/11

@marley - Australia has no state religion. Allusions to the church, any church, do not belong in official state pledges regardless if there is another without it.

marley says:

06:30pm | 08/02/11

@shifter - I attended a citizenship ceremony a year and a bit ago. Yes, it was the one in which I got citizenship.  There were 14 of us, of whom 12 chose the affirmation and two the oath under god.  Yes, the Christian god, since there was a Bible there.

So, the majority thought a simple affirmation was sufficient, a couple of people felt the oath had more meaning swearing on a Bible.  Maybe there should have been a Talmud and a Koran present (except the only two people who wanted to swear an oath were Christian) and the rest of us were resolute heathens. 

Of all the issues to get upset about, this isn’t one of them.

Proud Australian says:

02:02pm | 08/02/11

I have lived in this country for 76 years and we have a definite way of life. Sometimes wealthy ,sometimes not wealthy but for most ,a life lived sensibly is a life lived comfortably.But I have spent most of my life in country areas and that is where you find the dinkum Australian. The farmer, the shopkeeper, the medical staff, the fireys, the police and so on. All the people who are the life blood of a town and who willingly will shed that blood to help their neighbour in times of trouble. We see “our way of life” in the thousands of volunteers who turned out to help the Queenslanders in the flood stricken places, we see people like that everywhere and we are proud of them and how selfless they are. That is our way. What is yours?

fairsfair says:

03:16pm | 08/02/11

Agreed Kika and speaking of the volunteer effort PA… who was that muslim dude who said that women were like uncovered meat? I can’t remember his name was it sheik al hillali or something. Anyway, he arrived in SEQ with an army of muslim tradesman and truckloads of supplies and just started relining people’s houses and fixing them up for free. My estimations of that man have gone up. We don’t share religeous beliefs or political ideology, but we are both Australian. He acted like an Aussie in that he was prepared to up stumps and get in and help. He may not be perfect, but this is the kind of thing that we like to see in each other - compassion. I note the media left him alone too, so he has hardly received a whole heap of publicity from this and would have known that from the get go. 

This article makes me sad. We do have a way of life - it is very dynamic and diverse, but it is ours nonetheless. The fact it can not be defined is what makes it special. We need to stop putting ourselves down and just rolling with the punches a bit. Nowhere is pefect, we can’t all get along all the time that is normal and I reckon we are still the lucky country. I just wish people would wake up to themselves and realise how good we have it.

Budz says:

01:23pm | 08/02/11

Go on, list them.
Just remember the Aussie way of life isn’t just the way you and your friends and family spend their days.
You can’t define behaviour of a country based on a lot of people doing that thing.

AdamC says:

01:58pm | 08/02/11

“You can’t define behaviour of a country based on a lot of people doing that thing. “

Um, Budz, yes you can. That is the concept of culture. Can you have multiculturalism without the concept of culture? It sounds like you are a little confused.

Hamish says:

02:38pm | 08/02/11

Budz, I’ll list a couple (although societies are actually much better defined by boundaries than commonalities, but based on your response, I’d suggest that’s a bit above your head).

Respect for the secular rule of law over any religious laws/rites and respect for the (common) law generally
Respect for equality of opportunity for women
Respect for equality of opportunity for race
Respect for our institutions
Abhorrence of domestic violence under any circumstances
Belief that people should be able to freely communicate with each other without fear of violence or reprisals
Belief in the free practice of religion

They’re the ones that I can come up with off the top of my head. I’m not sure that’s what you meant by ‘way of life’ but it’s what is actually important. It’s the lack of aderence to these beliefs (not the fact that migrants don’t have a couple of room-temperature ales at the local pub) that is causing so many problems in the UK.

A lot of cultures actually don’t believe in most of the above.

AdamC says:

04:25pm | 08/02/11

Good point, Hamish. The limitations around acceptable behaviour are important to a society’s ‘way of life’.

For example, most Australians are reasonably comfortable with the concept of ‘arranged marriage’. However, where that becomes coerced marriage, the mainstream view would be that it also becomes unacceptable.

iMitchy says:

04:49pm | 08/02/11

I usually don’t like to single people out on here unless I have a new perspective to contribute and I stay out of the spats that offer nothing to the debate.
But Budz, come on, are you serious?
Your whole comment was self negating! You wrote two false sentences. Unless it was just worded incredibly badly you essentially said that:

1. A “way of life” isn’t defined by the way people live their lives.

2. Behaviour is not a reflection of what people do.

I hope this was a mistake and that something was lost in the translation between your thought and the keyboard.

Remember that the term used in the article was “way of life” not “culture”. Be careful. While they may have similar meanings, “culture” presents a connotation of history and tradition while way of life changes with the times.

Kate says:

08:47pm | 08/02/11

@Hamish - sadly, I doubt the bit about abhorrence of domestic violence really features in the Australian way of life.

muddabikes says:

02:44pm | 08/02/11

Praise the lord, and pass the bong.

Danny B says:

10:23am | 11/02/11

@ James1 - That’s one of the funniest comments I’ve read on this blog.

Tony of Poorakistan says:

01:25pm | 08/02/11

Multiculturalism means they can follow their own culture in our country, yes?
That being the case, I don’t wish to see a single complaint against female genital mutilation from any of you pro-multicultural, tree-hugging lefties. And let’s have bigamy taken off the statute books, thanks. Our Muslim brethren can have as many wives as they want and claim welfare for them all.

notsurprised says:

02:17pm | 08/02/11

Exactly. Australia doesn’t have a singular way of life and maybe never will. Taken from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship’s document entitled “Living in Australia” on p.26 -
“In Australia, everyone is free to follow and celebrate their cultural and religious traditions so long as they do not break Australian laws. Everyone can participate and belong as an Australian. At first, you may not be used to such diversity or social inclusion. However if you are open and respectful towards other people, ideas and traditions you are likely to fit in and be successful in your new life.” Which states that you can “Belong as an Australian,” but never once mentions what it actually means to “Be Australian.” It may say we are accepting and diverse but these terms are general and barely allude to the character behind the common traits that make up a nationality.  There is no consensus on a national self identity and without one the social make up of this country will only be a conglomeration of ancestries living together without a common identity. Maybe some thought could be given to the things that connect us all and we start placing importance on them.

Tedd says:

03:56pm | 08/02/11

Good call, Erick

or - “All cultures are equal but some are more equal than others”

(with apologies and acknowledgement to George Orwell)

Proud Australian says:

02:11pm | 08/02/11

The left has spent nearly three decades rubbishing Australian values, they have concentrated on making the youth believe that it is bad to be “white”, “christian” and “anglo” No wonder the youth of today has no faith or beliefs, they have been patiently bred out of them, that is why many of them are lost. They have no anchor.

Jade says:

02:31pm | 08/02/11

It’s not just the Left which has been “rubbishing Australian values”. It is the parents who fail to see a necessity in their child learning the national anthem. It is the everyday people who see ANZAC Day, Australia Day and our other holidays as an opportunity to get drunk, and not acknowledge the importance of the day. It is the people who would rather ignore our past than stand up and accept the negative aspects of it as well as the positive that contribute to the erosion of understanding on what it means to be Australian.

I do not see Americans (and I know a lot of them) complaining that teaching white and black about slavery or the civil rights era somehow makes the white Americans “ashamed to be white”. I believe that this has to do with the sense of patriotism instilled in Americans from a young age that enables them to accept the darker aspects of their past.

fairsfair says:

05:09pm | 08/02/11

Sam I agree with you to a point. But if you are aware of curtains that would be more efficient than the current ones (ie hows that new rubber backing stuff on the market, love it!) and you approached me and said so and rounded it off with an I’ll help you make them, I’d say you were a champion. You would however also have to be open to my potential disagreement and be prepared to ask me again in the future.

If you set fire to my curtains because you hated them and installed venitian blinds (they are a b*tch to clean) without my consent and sent me the bill, I’d have a slight problem with you and your choice of window treatments and justifiably so.

The country in which you now live is just as much yours as it is mine (I was born here as were many generations before me). We need to make it what WE (me the white Aussie and you the new Aussie) want to be and that has to include change without fear of upsetting others.

AdamC says:

02:01pm | 08/02/11

I think some people mistake the personal concept of ‘lifestyle’ for the social concept of a ‘way of life’. They are distinct, though there are overlaps on the margins.

James says:

02:49pm | 08/02/11

Yes it is a common mistake, to say for example that Indians have a great way of life because look at how good Tandoori is compared to a meat pies completely misses this issue.  I happen to believe that Indian food is far superior to food served at the footy but I also believe that Australia has been more successful at reducing corruption that is, it is not a way of life unlike in India. 

When multicultralism is brought up you have one side unfairly downplaying Australian achievements (which are signficant) and the other side letting fly with bigotry and a very small group of people looking at the issue in a balanced way.  Chance of any progress when this happens, almost none.

James says:

01:27pm | 08/02/11

Tubesteak, while I sort of agree with you in that at a superficial level we are very diverse, but if you want to see a real different way of life go to Saudi Arabia the difference in way of life will be very apparent.  There are levels of culture, what you wear and eat is a superfical manifestation of cultural difference, it probably has more to do with climatic variation than culture.

Jade says:

02:07pm | 08/02/11

This is exactly my point above. Migrants and other Australians need to develop a far greater understanding of the origin of these concepts to understand more fully why they are such an integral part of our culture.

We are constantly bombarded with a plethora of advertisements which encapsulate the idea of mateship, and which demonstrate the uniquely Australian way in which this is interpreted, however, very little understanding of how that idea developed as part of the national psyche is demonstrated by Australians.

We do have a strong and very unique culture here in Australia. This culture is far more than a few slogans. There is a strong belief in the Australian identity, and a belief in egalitarianism that is not found anywhere else. There is a bluntness with which Australians speak, which is exceptionally confronting to so many cultures, that is part and parcel of our culture. The tall poppy syndrome is something rarely found among many other cultures.

I find it rather insulting when migrants suggest or imply that Australia is lacking in culture simply because we do not have an obvious symbol of our culture, such as national costume or food. And I find that this attitude of many migrants certainly contributes to the negative view which some Australians hold towards them.

James says:

02:58pm | 08/02/11

As someone mentioned, people are confusing superficial life style choices i.e. Food, Clothing, Music with deeper cultral values i.e. rule of law, seperation of church and state, sense of humour, an unwritten belief that funtamentally we are on same team (“mateship” is a manifestation of this).

This is not to say that some of Australia’s greatest cultral aspects are not championed by some migrants, even more so than some “Aussies” but it is a simple fact that if you have migration from other cultures, strain will be put on the host culture in absorbing the new migrants.  This fact is almost completely ignored by PC commissars, they seem to regard ignoring this as a virtue rather than a weakness.

Jade says:

03:08pm | 08/02/11

“Multiculturalism will never succeed until the idea of being Australian is more important than being a Muslim. “

Or a Christian, or a Buddhist, or a communist, or a Catholic or an Orthodox Christian, or a Jew, or a trade unionist, or a Shintoist, or any of a range of political and religious beliefs. All of which have been guilty of equally shocking crimes as Muslims in very, very recent memory.

I am extremely left-wing in many things, but believe very strongly that your religious beliefs, political beliefs and others should come second to your citizenship in where your loyalties lie.

The many and varied Christian groups in this country which seek to undermine fundamental aspects of Australian society should be held in as much contempt as Muslims who do the same.

Tony of Poorakistan says:

03:57pm | 08/02/11

Jade

find me a gang of Christian youth in Australia that have raped a bunch of Muslim teenagers just because they are Muslim.

Jade says:

09:43am | 09/02/11

I’m quite sure that many of the footballers currently suspected of gang-raping women are more likely to identify as Christian than as Muslim. The difference is their disdain for women appears to be non-discriminatory.

I personally believe that the greater threat to be addressed in our society is the prevalence of rape in general. Not a very small subset of the population.

And I highly doubt that all members of the Lebanese gang most famous for this behaviour are Muslim, considering that a majority of Lebanese are in fact Christian. I believe their motivation was more to do with ethnicity than religion.

Though I have sat in Christian church services where I have been told as a female that I am responsible if I am raped, that non-Christian women basically deserve it due to their loose morals and that rape is a punishment of God for infractions against his will. I find this rhetoric as abhorrent and antithetical to the Australian way of life as the more well-publicised comments of certain Muslim “leaders”.

Will says:

09:51am | 11/02/11

The left never misses an opportunity to lie in order to make a childish point.
Let us examine Jade’s lies, shall we?
Lie 1: I’m quite sure that many of the footballers currently suspected of gang-raping women are more likely to identify as Christian…..

Are you really, Jade? Did those footballers make an issue of their religion while assaulting said females?
I would hazard a guess those footballers were of the fashionable atheist crowd and most likely have never had any religious instruction whatsoever.

Lie 2: And I highly doubt that all members of the Lebanese gang most famous for this behaviour are Muslim…

Sorry Jade, but all those young men were Muslim, a fact bought up and read into evidence in a court of law.

Lie 3: Though I have sat in Christian church services where I have been told as a female that I am responsible if I am raped, that non-Christian women basically deserve it due to their loose morals and that rape is a punishment of God for infractions..

Really Jade? Care to name this fictitious church in which this was preached? What denomination are they?
Who was the minister/preacher?

Ah, the Left. Lying is their currency…

Inglish goode betta says:

01:32pm | 08/02/11

Thats ot fair,Labor would not get any votes at all,lets make a game of it

Tim says:

03:23pm | 08/02/11

Tory,
is that the quality of the Punch editors then?
Write a barely literate comment that one of the editors find funny and the content doesn’t matter.
Write a thoughtful comment that directly addresses the issues raised but If it offends the editors’ sensibilities it gets canned.
Nice.

AliceC says:

03:24pm | 08/02/11

Brilliant Tory! LOL!

malohi says:

02:42pm | 08/02/11

Excuse me while I vomit.
Do you happen to ghost write for Gillard or Bligh?
Your entire second paragraph involves meaningless platitudes and emotive buzz words but I am unable to discern any cogent point.

Statements like this are why so many hate the whole Ausie Pride/ Aussie culture bandwagon.You have described the facade, it is meaningless, It sounds like recent insurance ads. It is the rhetoric the great unwashed will rally behind a froth at the mouth if someone dares act in any way otherwise, ignorant to the frivolity.

Take a look around- there is no culture of acceptance, Ausie culture involves treating sports stars as the nations greatest heoes, getting pissed and having a good time at other peoples expense (larrikanism).

It may surprise you that many are ashamed of this “culture”.

Swingdog says:

06:45pm | 08/02/11

“It stems from iconic poets like Banjo Patterson and Henry Lawson. It was forged on the shores of Gallipoli. It involves passionate love for cricket and BBQ’s and the beach. It is hard to quantify, but it exists.”

No it doesn’t. See what I did there?

Muttley says:

10:14am | 09/02/11

yes i do see what you did there swingdog. You managed to prove you are a tool. Great post Richard. And Malohi, your post makes me want to vomit. If these ideas are so offensive to you well then you have an entire to globe to pick somewhere that doesnt make you sick.

DougB says:

02:47pm | 08/02/11

It’s a good point Gladys,
We should sort out our internal issues first before accepting more from overseas.

Only when everyone who is already here, has an equal standard of health care, equal standard of living and equal standard of Community, should we be ready to consider taking on more people.

If we can achieve the above, we can target record low un-employment, low crime and give everyone a future.

While we can’t solve our problems and issues already, we shouldn’t continue loading the people with more.

MarK says:

02:42pm | 08/02/11

“all non aboriginals are migrants to this country”

BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

That is the sound of the buzzer announcing you are wrong. Please try again

Jade says:

04:08pm | 08/02/11

Even Aboriginals are migrants.  We all migrated here at some stage.

Gee Jay says:

09:40am | 09/02/11

200 years hardly compares with 60,000 !!

Tony of Poorakistan says:

02:03pm | 08/02/11

Relax, she has no idea what she is talking about

Hamish says:

02:44pm | 08/02/11

Yeah I almost laughed when I read ‘complex blend of cultural factors’...um…doesn’t that mean multiculturalism? What other ‘cultural’ factors are we talking about? Love of soccer? Worst line in the worst Punch article I’ve ever read.

Bilby says:

02:48pm | 08/02/11

I was thinking that Tory. My dad was German (and Jewish), and his best mate was Japanese. These were two guys that held the Australian way of life up as something to be protected. Something to be valued. They were both advocates for assimilation, and I certainly benefit from their attitudes. No-one would pick me from the average Aussie, other than by my rugged good looks and above average English skills

Chewy says:

03:11pm | 08/02/11

“Does that mean people from Germany or Japan could never be part of our way of life? “

@Tory not when you have idiots like this around…

http://www.news.com.au/national/james-anthony-dean-willcocks-birthday-ends-in-murder-charge/story-e6frfkvr-1225785568544

majid says:

05:38pm | 08/02/11

Oi Oi Oi,
Your speech sounds identical to the one given by Hitler during the nazi propaganda, except instead of using the word sharia, he used judaism…

john says:

03:31pm | 08/02/11

@markus “whose democratic beliefs I share” is part of the oath, democratic beliefs is not just a political belief, its about all beliefs the majority share or respect, that does include as you correctly put it “Australian way of life” as we believe it to be.

James1 says:

02:36pm | 08/02/11

Indeed.  That is what a country that does not tolerate the cultural practices and beliefs of others looks like.

Tony of Poorakistan says:

03:19pm | 08/02/11

Go to Birmingham or Paris or Amsterdam and see what it has done to the English, French and Dutch way of life. There are whole suburbs where those born in those countries now fear to tread. That’s your failed multiculturalism. The immigrants brought their own way of life, inclusive of violence and religious intolerance.

James says:

03:39pm | 08/02/11

You don’t even have to go to Saudi Arabia, Japan (if you look hard enough) will show you a society that beneath a polite surface has no time for non-Japanese.

Jade says:

02:21pm | 08/02/11

I agree totally. When are we going to send all the Mormons back to Utah?

Geoffrey Chaucer says:

03:29pm | 08/02/11

Send the Mormons back to Utah? Are you trying to deprive me of my fun Jade?

I always let them in, give them a cup of tea, let them talk for five minutes, then I take over until they’re sound asleep on the couch.

Jade says:

04:38pm | 08/02/11

I am merely pointing out to you that Mormons are guilty of most of the things you list as contrary to the Australian way of life.  Including the killing of adulterers and apostates. In very recent history. They administer public justice, and have been known to commit murder as part of the blood atonement doctrine. Many still adhere to the strong belief in polygamy that initially saw Utah denied entry to the Union. They may live among us in the community, but they seek to keep themselves separate lest they become tempted or infected. They teach that women should be subservient to men in all things. And they seek often to exercise special rights under the cloak of religious freedom while denying that right to others.

They also do not imbibe liquor or caffeine, and refuse to wear sleeveless clothing or clothing which is above the knee, particularly if you are female. And to ensure this, they wear special underwear. That to me, is rejecting mainstream cultural traditions, especially in this country.

Yet most of them, like the Muslims you were having a shot at, were born in this country. They believe, despite many of the crazy things that members of their religion do, and the things that their council of prophets endorses, that they do fit into the Australian way of life.

I personally see very, very little difference between Muslims and Mormons in their beliefs and behaviour. The only difference is that Mormons tend to be whiter in colour and therefore less easy to spot. And therefore are less easily used as a target.

ibast says:

01:58pm | 08/02/11

Right, because Christians always practice what is written in the bible.  Here’s but one example:
Exodus 35:2
“On six days work may be done, but the seventh day shall be sacred to you as the sabbath of complete rest to the LORD. Anyone who does work on that day shall be put to death.”

Ryan says:

04:28pm | 08/02/11

@ibast: difference is that Christianity is not enforced like Islam is. In today’s day and age it seems that if you insult Christianity you aren’t going to be murdered, do the same to Islam and see what happens.

True Believer says:

12:09pm | 09/02/11

@Ibast:

““Exodus 35:2
“On six days work may be done, but the seventh day shall be sacred to you as the sabbath of complete rest to the LORD. Anyone who does work on that day shall be put to death.” “”
That is misuse of the Scriptures. Quoting the Jewish Law to as if Christiansm were bound by it. We are not. Below is the scripture which would have enlightened you had you taken time to look at the New Testament.
““After the Pharisees criticized Jesus for allowing his disciples to pick some grain on the Sabbath day, Jesus said, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27).””

James1 says:

02:40pm | 08/02/11

The very presence of large Jewish populations in Europe is multiculturalism. 

“I agree with immigration and multiculturalism, but this kind blinkered view of migrants as all being fundamentally decent and productive just doesn’t stand up to any form of scrutiny whatsoever.”

One could say the same of anyone, including [gasp] Australians.  Even [double gasp] white Australians.

Hamish says:

03:35pm | 08/02/11

Yeah James1 which is why immigration needs to be controlled, planned and debated, not treated as a fundamental good all the time. I’d happily kick out Australians who aren’t decent and productive but that’s not really possible is it? I don’t see the need to import more people like that.

I see you managed to write two sentences (inc. the quote admittedly) before making a childish and irrelevant reference to ‘white’ Australians. Well done mate.

James A says:

02:48pm | 08/02/11

Its easier for you to tell me the diiferences between the way the average Pakistani lives in Lahore and the way the average Aussie lives.  Are you saying its too hard to find differences??

If you cannot see that there is a way of life here that revolves around, peace, order, good governance, tolerance, living space, merit, work, humour, sports, pubs, welfare etc then you must live in a box.

Our way of life is directly attributable to the British ordered society with less emphasis on class.

Having lived in London NYC and Hong Kong I can say that multiculturalism is a relic of the 70’s and just does not work.  In fact the problems it has caused to the fabric of society in the UK especially is heartbreaking and its doubtful that that country will ever recover.  The most fractured communities you will ever see.

Multiculturalism and the welfare state are the two items that socialists have foisted upon nations without democractic process and that will echo into the future in infamy.

James says:

03:09pm | 08/02/11

I am someone who is concerned about islamo-facism, I see the threat I am not blind but do you have to lump all Muslims in the one group.  How many out of the 400,000 are a concern and for what reason?  You have to take a more focused look at exactly who is the problem, you might find you have a few reformist Muslim allies. 

My point is lumping 400,000 people together and implying they are all of the same mind does not stand up to a closer look and infact may help the islamo-facists who I dearly want to see locked up by allowing them to hide more easily.

driver says:

04:18pm | 08/02/11

james

Islam is not a religion, nor is it a cult. In its fullest form, it is a complete, total, 100% system of life, a government.

Islam has religious, legal, political, economic, social, and military components. The religious component is a beard for all of the other components.

Islamisation begins when there are sufficient Muslims in a country to agitate for their religious privileges. When politically correct, tolerant, and culturally diverse societies agree to Muslim demands for their religious privileges, some of the other components tend to creep in as well.

Here’s how it works:

As long as the Muslim population remains around or under 2% in any given country, they will be for the most part be regarded as a peace-loving minority, and not as a threat to other citizens. This is the case in:

United States — Muslim 0.6%
Australia — Muslim 1.5%
Canada — Muslim 1.9%
China — Muslim 1.8%
Italy — Muslim 1.5%
Norway — Muslim 1.8%

At 2% to 5%, they begin to proselytize from other ethnic minorities and disaffected groups, often with major recruiting from the jails and among street gangs. This is happening in:

Denmark — Muslim 2%
Germany — Muslim 3.7%
United Kingdom — Muslim 2.7%
Spain — Muslim 4%
Thailand — Muslim 4.6%

From 5% on, they exercise an inordinate influence in proportion to their percentage of the population. For example, they will push for the introduction of halal (clean by Islamic standards) food, thereby securing food preparation jobs for Muslims. They will increase pressure on supermarket chains to feature halal on their shelves — along with threats for failure to comply. This is occurring in:

France — Muslim 8%
Philippines — Muslim 5%
Sweden — Muslim 5%
Switzerland — Muslim 4.3%
The Netherlands — Muslim 5.5%
Trinidad & Tobago — Muslim 5.8%

At this point, they will work to get the ruling government to allow them to rule themselves (within their ghettos) under sharia, the Islamic Law. The ultimate goal of Islamists is to establish sharia law over the entire world.

When Muslims approach 10% of the population, they tend to increase lawlessness as a means of complaint about their conditions. In Paris, we are already seeing car-burnings. Any non-Muslim action offends Islam, and results in uprisings and threats, such as in Amsterdam, with opposition to Mohammed cartoons and films about Islam. Such tensions are seen daily, particularly in Muslim sections, in:

Guyana — Muslim 10%
India — Muslim 13.4%
Israel — Muslim 16%
Kenya — Muslim 10%
Russia — Muslim 15%

After reaching 20%, nations can expect hair-trigger rioting, jihad militia formations, sporadic killings, and the burnings of Christian churches and Jewish synagogues, such as in:

Ethiopia — Muslim 32.8%

At 40%, nations experience widespread massacres, chronic terror attacks, and ongoing militia warfare, such as in:

Bosnia — Muslim 40%
Chad — Muslim 53.1%
Lebanon — Muslim 59.7%

From 60%, nations experience unfettered persecution of nonbelievers of all other religions (including nonconforming Muslims), sporadic ethnic cleansing (genocide), use of sharia law as a weapon, and jizya, the tax placed on infidels, such as in:

Albania — Muslim 70%
Malaysia — Muslim 60.4%
Qatar — Muslim 77.5%
Sudan — Muslim 70%

After 80%, expect daily intimidation and violent jihad, some State-run ethnic cleansing, and even some genocide, as these nations drive out the infidels, and move toward 100% Muslim, such as has been experienced and in some ways is ongoing in:

Bangladesh — Muslim 83%
Egypt — Muslim 90%
Gaza — Muslim 98.7%
Indonesia — Muslim 86.1%
Iran — Muslim 98%
Iraq — Muslim 97%
Jordan — Muslim 92%
Morocco — Muslim 98.7%
Pakistan — Muslim 97%
Palestine — Muslim 99%
Syria — Muslim 90%
Tajikistan — Muslim 90%
Turkey — Muslim 99.8%
United Arab Emirates — Muslim 96%

100% will usher in the peace of “Dar-es-Salaam” — the Islamic House of Peace. Here there’s supposed to be peace, because everybody is a Muslim, the madrassas are the only schools, and the Koran is the only word, such as in:

Afghanistan — Muslim 100%
Saudi Arabia — Muslim 100%
Somalia — Muslim 100%
Yemen — Muslim 100%

Unfortunately, peace is never achieved, as in these 100% states the most radical Muslims intimidate and spew hatred, and satisfy their blood lust by killing less radical Muslims, for a variety of reasons.

Adapted from Dr. Peter Hammond’s book: Slavery, Terrorism and Islam: The Historical Roots and Contemporary Threat.

James says:

09:57am | 09/02/11

Oh believe me I have no love for monotheistic religions and I am very suspicious of anyone takes the fictional Bible/Koran/Torah literally.  My point is that not all “Muslims” buy into the nonsense in the Koran, those that do, however, are a concern, given what it says.  I also think that people lucky enough to be born in the west who defend the genocidal, barbaric ramblings of the three main works of fiction are just about the stupidest people around.

Ben81 says:

09:03pm | 08/02/11

“Multicultural Australia. Where you don’t have to conform. “
Well that sounds like a nice way of life, I’ll have to try it.
Maybe I’ll purchase a colourful tie…

James1 says:

02:50pm | 08/02/11

This then begs the question, where does assimilation stop?  How much does a person need to change in order to be an “acceptable Australian”?  What exact behaviour and cultural practices do they need to assimilate to?  Should they assimilate to my culture?  Or should they assimilate with Greek culture?  Or English culture?  If it is English, count me out…

Pete says:

03:24pm | 08/02/11

I don’t like assimilation because I get nervous memories of Star Trek and the Borg.  But seriously… it is a strong word to some.  “Adaptation” may be a little softer and more appropriate.

In any case, in order to assimilate, it needs to be obvious what they should assimilate into.  Do you really expect people to magically adapt?  My guess is that it takes at least three years to do so.  And you can’t assume that our “way of life” is obvious to everyone.  By this article, clearly it’s not.

Finally, my question in relation to these matters is often, “What do you think of all the Australians in Shepard’s Bush in London?”

JT says:

03:47pm | 08/02/11

No it does not beg that question, integration and assimilation stops when your values and cultural practices no longer lie in contradiction of the Australian way of life.

James1 says:

04:55pm | 08/02/11

You need a very clear definition of the Australian way of life, in that case JT.  Care to provide it?  And please do not just list the features of our political system.

St. Michael says:

03:00pm | 08/02/11

I am,
You are,
We are
Australian.

Only in Australia could a bloody first grade English lesson become a popular hit.

majid says:

03:56pm | 08/02/11

Senor Rio, if I follow your reasoning you want only the Ronaldos, Juanitos and Dolores to immigrate to Australia like you probably did and then shut the door on Muslims and Asians… How racist and demeaning is that???

Actually, I think people like you are the real danger for Australia, you come here and you bring with you the hatred and prejudice against other faiths or ethnics…

By the way, Australian “way of Life” means simply “Celebration of Humanity” without discriminating against any faith or race and if you don’t like it, then go back to where you come from!!!

Sir Ronald Bradnam says:

02:58pm | 08/02/11

oh…and I forgot I am sick and f….. tired of grey politicians using religion, race, boat people, immigrants as political pawns to try and get themselves elected/reelected. Maybe we could ban politicians as well as religion.

Geoffrey Chaucer says:

05:26pm | 08/02/11

Yep, and what’s wrong with that?

Tedd says:

06:42pm | 08/02/11

My understanding is that the ‘Aborigine nations’ are as diverse as the nations of Europe, and with different languages as well, as a result of being spread far and wide around the coast of Australia for tens of thousands of years

stephen says:

07:17pm | 09/02/11

Tim Flannery can’t even tell the weather.

Danny B says:

11:29am | 11/02/11

Servaas,

Let’s get one thing clear.  Atheism isn’t a faith.  It’s an abscence of religious faith.

Servaas says:

11:50pm | 11/02/11

Danny B

By ‘religious faith’ do you mean faith in a deity or higher figure or simply that one’s beliefs does not lead one to act in a specific manner?

People define atheism differently. The definition you hold to, and I believe the most who call themselves atheists, is one of ignorance or avoidence but together with that one has other beliefs which very likely stem from one’s position of ‘atheism’. Belief can’t be absent unless the brain is in fact absent.

On the other hand, to take a clear stand and say there is no ‘god’ is in itself a faith position, which I normally consider to be atheism.

DocBud says:

11:13pm | 08/02/11

What does an extreme agnostic fanatically believe? That they REALLY don’t know?

Tedd says:

06:04am | 09/02/11

Atheism and agnosticism are not religions because they do not invoke unrevealed supernatural entities or events. 

They are not beliefs, just a lack of belief.

James says:

09:59am | 09/02/11

Back to school luke.

fairsfair says:

02:56pm | 09/02/11

how bout some of them are so fanatical about proving that there is no god or not only one god and by attacking all things religion (with use of words like sky fairy and supernatural entities) they are just as bad as religious extremists themselves?

I agree Luke. Key word being extremist. You can’t blame religion for the world’s problems when non-religious people stir just as much shit on their never ending quest to show people that the light at the end of the tunnel is probably just a train.

Zac de Spudnut says:

03:17pm | 09/02/11

Luke,

I full agree!! This is one of those inconvenient truths Tory or other Atheists wouldn’t want to hear.

@James, Tedd and Doc,

* Atheism is certainly a religion, here is why:

* “Legally atheism counts as a religion” – John Perkins, Atheist Foundation of Australia *

* “THE Atheist Foundation of Australia has lodged complaints of religious discrimination in Melbourne and Hobart after being refused permission to put atheist advertising on buses”.

Ref: The Age, January 29, 2009

* “Atheism is [the inmate’s] religion, and the group that he wanted to start was religious in nature even though it expressly rejects a belief in a supreme being,” the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals said.

* The Supreme Court has said a religion need not be based on a belief in the existence of a supreme being. In the 1961 case of Torcaso v. Watkins, the court described “secular humanism” as a religion.

* A federal court of appeals ruled yesterday Wisconsin prison officials violated an inmate’s rights because they did not treat atheism as a religion.

Ref:  Court rules atheism a religion

* Contemporary Western Atheism unquestionably has six of the seven dimensions of religion set forth by Smart, and the remaining dimension, ritual, has also started to develop.

Ref: Atheism: A religion, Daniel Smartt

DocBud says:

04:18pm | 09/02/11

Zac,

You’ll note that my reference was to agnosticism, otherwise my comment would not have made sense.

Extreme atheists, in marked contrast to agnostics, REALLY know that there is no god and this certainty can make them intolerant and bigoted to those who hold religious views.

James says:

10:43am | 10/02/11

Legally counts as a religion in Wisconsin ringing endorsement there.  As we know courts come up with all kinds of illogical nonsense, if I squint hard enough footy can now be a religion with associated tax deductions. 

Not talking about nonsense court rulings talking about logic.  Atheists do not believe in an interfering god, that is a logical position given lack of evidence.  Is science a religion?  Is black actually white?  Give me enough lawyers I could probably have black legally declared white.

Zac de Spudnut says:

12:07pm | 10/02/11

James,

talking about logic.  Atheists do not believe in an interfering god, that is a logical position given lack of evidence. >>>

When confronted with facts courts are nonsense, lawyers are nonsense. Ok. Seems to me logic and reason is not working out well for you.

You say “Atheists do not believe in an interfering god”>>>

So that means Atheist believes in a non-interfering God.

that is a logical position given lack of evidence.>>>

So how can that be a logical position?  Even with lack of evidence, you still believe in a non-interfering God. So you are NOT an Atheist. This is where the muddled up logic and rationality of man will lead you.

James says:

09:40am | 11/02/11

Don’t know where you are learning your logic but it doesn’t follow that atheists believe an a non-interfering god (that would be a Deist) because they don’t believe in an interfering one any more than I believe in Budda because I don’t believe in Vishnu.

You don’t even know what the definition Atheist is.  My point about courts is that they don’t always produce logical or rational outcomes, if they did laws would not vary so much from country to country.  You would have very similar definitions about what is a crime for example, but as you know they don’t.

Your “logic” is a bit (almost totally) lacking, me thinks.

James says:

10:03am | 09/02/11

Just a question (from someone who has no time for bogans):
If you hold that view why aren’t you with your advanced friends in China, Vietnam or Saudi Arabia?

Jade says:

12:12pm | 10/02/11

I personally know many Christians who believe that this is an acceptable punishment. They are all white Australian Christians too. And they are the majority of Christians that I know.

Were I to not be aware of the mainstream Christian views represented by the media, I would have a view of Christians that they are all dangerous, narrowminded and irrational. These people firmly believe that we should be aiding Israel in it’s wars with the Muslim world because only with the eventual destruction of Israel and suffering of the Jewish people can the Second Coming occur.

They believe that evolution should not be taught in schools, that books that teach anti-Christian things or promote anti-Christian ideas (such as Harry Potter, the Twilight books, and much of Shakespeare) should be burned and those distributing or reading them should be locked up and re-educated about the glory of God.

They believe that people should only be healed by the power of prayer and believe that bombing family planning clinics and chemists who distribute the pill or morning after pill is justified. Murdering abortion providers and their families is a necessary step to protecting the innocent.

True Believer says:

01:35pm | 10/02/11

@Jade:

Boy you know some wierd people, I have met hundreds of Christians and have never come across the ones you describe. Those you describe do not sound like the real thing to me.

Jesus said: Mathew 7:21
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ 23Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”

Dan says:

07:07am | 10/02/11

Not only do we NOT have an Australian way of life, but those ‘foreigners who rock up,move into an area and then devour it’ are AUSTRALIANS! You are disgusting.

Henstock, Australians come in all colours and ethnicities. Non-white, non-Christian Australians are JUST as Australian as you are!

As for wanting home advantage when you go to a sporting event, it’s sports, not war!

“Instead of assimilating they congregate and formulate their own little communities.”

First, what should they assimilate into? Because I will never assimilate into your so-called way of live. Second, people of similar ethnicities tend to live together. Jews tend to live near Jews, Chinese tend to live near Chinese, Muslims tend to live near Muslims. There is nothing wrong with that, and I wonder how many non-Christians you live nearby.

“I’m just saying today is vastly different to what i was brought up in.”

Good. We no longer live in a White Australia.

““multiculturalism had contributed to the threat of terrorism within the UK.”

That is incredibly debatable.

“A fair and factual statement and one which could apply here….as they say,”

Really? How?

The fact that you are opposed to it, indicates to me that Australia is absolutely on the right path! You obviously want the White Australia policy back. Well, sadly for you, it aint coming back, and you will have to get used to ‘foreigners’ (or Australians who do not share your religion or ethnicity) moving into your favourite spots, and people forming their own communities!

James says:

10:53am | 10/02/11

Dan your emotional rant doesn’t do you any favours you need to look at things in a more balanced way.  To summarise your arguement:

British Australians do not have a way of life, people of the same ethnicity living together is natural and a good thing (presumably unless they are British), terrorist attacks and attempts in Britain didn’t happen or weren’t caused by a different cultural group.  I believe in one world but I also believe in logical consistancy and an honest examination of reality.

If anything your rant damages the chances of one world becoming a reality.

Dan says:

08:22pm | 10/02/11

James, I do’t need any advice from you. Especially since you clearly can’t read.

“British Australians do not have a way of life,”

I wasn’t aware that this topic was about British Australians. I thought it was about Australians. Or are Australians automatically British Australian?

” people of the same ethnicity living together is natural and a good thing (presumably unless they are British),”

I never mentioned British. You really need to learn to read. I simply said that there is nothing wrong with people living together with others of their same ethnicity, and that those who criticise it are generally hypocriticial.

“terrorist attacks and attempts in Britain didn’t happen or weren’t caused by a different cultural group. “

I never said that. However there is no evidence multiculturalism caused terrorism.

“but I also believe in logical consistancy and an honest examination of reality.”

No, you clearly don’t.

My so-called rant was far more logical and balanced than what you are capable of!

Dan says:

08:30pm | 10/02/11

James, before you criticise those who are clearly more logical and balanced than you, you should 1)learn to read,  and 2)read the topic.

The topic has nothing to do with British Australians. It has to do with Australians, and not all Australians are British. Furthermore, I never said that a terrorist attack didn’t happen, only that multiculturalism didn’t cause it. Oh, and there is nothing wrong with people living with their own ethnicities, however Australians such as yourself are generally hypocritical so you attack Muslims for living near other Muslims, however you don’t live near non-Christians yourself.

Oh, and considering that you obviously support Henstock’s racist use of the word ‘foreigner’, you have no right to poroclam that you believe in one world (unless it’s white), or ‘logical consistancy and an honest examination of reality.’ You have no idea what those terms even mean!

James says:

10:04am | 11/02/11

Are you saying you can’t benifit from your opinions being questioned?

Australians do have a way of life: way of life has less to do with food, clothes and other superficialities and way more to do with social/formal institutions, national character, social structure, history etc.  The vast majority of Australians are of British descent so when people talk about “other nationalities” it is implied they are talking about, not-of-British descent.

To say we do not have a way of life is pretty poor analysis and such statements deserve serious interrogation.

I did not attack Muslims but I am calling out delusions like, bombings in the UK had nothing to do with Muslim faith, face facts there are real problems in the world of Islam not just in the UK but right around the world the sooner we face the facts the sooner we can address the problems and move forward. 

Logic test:  You have to ask the question would the bombings have happened in the absence of multiculturalism?

And before you emote, that is not to say that multicultralism is bad, but it is good and bad, that is my point.  Your one dimensional thinking that multiculturalism = good deserves to be challenged. 

I don’t think ghettos are healthy, it is, by the way, the an absolute rejection of multicultralism.

By the way I live with a Hindu